[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Manheim 6-9-2003 by Res. No. 2003-21 (Part 10, Ch. 3, of the 1976 Code
of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish those activities
to be taken by the Manheim Township government to protect the life
and property of the citizens in the event of a natural, technological
or terrorism emergency or disaster and to satisfy the requirements
of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, (35 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 7101 et seq.), as amended.
A.
Township location and description. Manheim Township is located in
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Manheim Township is the second most
populated municipality within the county, second only to the city
of Lancaster that borders to the south. The population of the Township
as of 2000 was about 34,000. Manheim Township is a First Class Township
within Lancaster County and contains a wide diversity of housing,
commercial, light industry, heavy industry, and agricultural usage.
B.
Township capabilities and resources.
(1)
Facilities and services.
(a)
Manheim Township has a combination of governmental and volunteer
emergency services and facilities that are sufficient to handle emergencies.
However, due to economic, manpower and equipment considerations, these
assets may not be sufficient to deal with a major disaster.
(b)
The response to any disaster must rely upon established operational
plans, organizations, trained personnel, and intermunicipal and mutual
aid resources that will facilitate the prompt mobilization and delegation
of the total resource capabilities of government and the private sector.
(2)
Warning system. Emergency announcements will be broadcast over the
Emergency Alert System.
C.
Summary of Township vulnerability to hazards.
(3)
(4)
Resource management. The Township will be responsible for acquiring
any resources necessary to maintain essential services that would
impact the health, safety and welfare of the citizens. This may be
accomplished through emergency purchase orders, stockpiling of supplies
and requests for assistance from other municipalities and Lancaster
County Emergency Management.
A.
General.
(1)
Requirements of elected officials. The Manheim Township Board of
Commissioners will exercise primary supervision and control over emergency
management and those activities necessary for the protection of the
lives and property of the citizens.
(2)
Emergency management. The plan will provide an effective organization
through the use of designated personnel and resources operating under
the Unified Incident Command System to cope with emergencies and to
mitigate any disaster that may strike and/or affect the Township.
(3)
Declaration of disaster emergency.
(a)
The Manheim Township Board of Commissioners may declare a disaster
emergency should the need arise for the response and recovery operations
and to provide authorized aid and assistance to the citizens.
(b)
The declaration will be filed with the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency through the Lancaster County EMA.
B.
Interjurisdictional assistance.
(1)
Obtaining assistance.
(a)
The Board of Commissioners may enter into intermunicipal, automatic-aid
and mutual-aid agreements for personnel and resources required to
manage an emergency and mitigate a disaster.
(b)
Any request for state and/or federal government assistance must
follow established protocol through Lancaster County EMA.
C.
Operations.
(1)
Emergency management. An Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) will
be appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the Board of Commissioners.
The EMC will have responsibility for the Office of Emergency Management
and the Emergency Operations Center.
(2)
Emergency Operations Center. The EOC is located in the basement of
the Manheim Township Police Department located at 1825 Municipal Drive,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
(3)
Incident Command System.
(a)
The Incident Commander (IC) at the incident site will be from
Fire, Police, or Emergency Medical Services, depending on the nature
of the incident, and will follow the established Lancaster County
Incident Command System.
(b)
When the EOC is activated, the EMC or designee will coordinate
between the Incident Commander and County EMA.
D.
Continuity of government.
(1)
Line of succession.
(a)
Board of Commissioners: President, Vice President and Board
members designated by the President.
(2)
Relocation of the EOC. If the EOC cannot be used, then the control
may be transferred to the Mobile Command Post or the Lancaster County
EOC.
(3)
Orientation of new officials. The Emergency Management Coordinator
will brief all elected/appointed officials on their responsibilities
and emergency procedures at least annually or on an as-needed basis.
(4)
Preservation of records. All recorded public and private documents
of the EOC will be protected from unauthorized disclosure and will
be stored in a fireproof file cabinet.
(5)
Relocation of government. In the event of a requirement to relocate
government operations from the Municipal Building located at 1821
Municipal Drive, the following facilities may be used to temporarily
relocate government:
E.
Phases of emergency management:
(1)
Mitigation: the efforts to eliminate or reduce the impact of hazards
that exist within a community and are a threat to life and property
and comprises the operation of emergency management.
(2)
Preparedness: being ready to react promptly and effectively to an
emergency and/or disaster with a plan of action conducted through
training and exercising.
(3)
Response: occurs after the onset of an emergency or disaster; provides
for the emergency assistance for casualties through search and rescue,
shelter, and medical care and reduces damage by efforts such as sandbagging
of floodwaters, diking of waterway to control hazardous spills and
shoring up and boarding of property to prevent further damage.
(4)
Recovery: the efforts to restore essential services and basic needs
through the use of temporary housing, food distribution, psychological
counseling, restoration of vital services, reconstruction of damaged
areas and measures to prevent future occurrences.
B.
Responsibilities.
(3)
Emergency Management Coordinator:
(a)
Coordination,
planning and training:
[1]
Overall preplanning of emergency/disaster operations.
[2]
Disseminate alert/warning information through the Emergency
Alert System.
[3]
Maintain and operate the Emergency Operations Center and the
Mobile Command Post.
[4]
Coordinate operations with the County Emergency Management Coordinator.
[5]
Provide services and resources as needed.
[6]
Coordination of municipal governmental, private and volunteer
emergency forces.
[7]
Provide for the reentry of evacuees after the disaster situation
is secured.
[8]
During emergency/disaster operations, coordinate the duties
and responsibilities of personnel in situations not covered in the
Emergency Operations Plan.
[9]
Act as a Public Information Officer (PIO) when needed.
(4)
Amateur radio operator:
(a)
Maintain
progress of an emergency and/or disaster:
[1]
Assist Emergency Management Coordinator in dissemination of
alert/notification information.
[2]
Maintain communications with emergency shelters.
[3]
Maintain communications with route alert teams during evacuations.
[4]
Maintain communications with other emergency agencies.
[5]
Provide health and welfare communications regarding Manheim
Township residents to family members when telephone communications
fail.
[6]
Provide sky warn communications for severe weather conditions.
[7]
Provide Manheim Township officials with necessary communications.
[8]
Maintain communications with the County Emergency Operations
Center.
[9]
Help, aid and assist Manheim Township Emergency Services with
emergency communications.
(6)
Shelter and Transportation Advisor:
(a)
Public evacuation sites and transportation resources:
[1]
Maintain current list of available shelter locations with capacities.
[2]
Coordinate all evacuations with the American Red Cross.
[3]
Coordinate efforts with the County Mass Care Chief.
[4]
Maintain current list of available transportations resources,
such as trucks and buses.
[5]
Coordinate efforts with the County Transportation Group Chief.
(7)
Health/Medical Advisor:
(a)
Health and sanitary conditions:
[1]
Maintain communications with the Manheim Township Ambulance
Association.
[2]
Coordinate the sanitation efforts.
[3]
Assist the Haz-Mat 2 Team in identification of biological and
chemical agents.
[4]
Assist in the proper care for radiological contamination.
[5]
Review and coordinate the available medical staff facilities
within Manheim Township.
[6]
Coordinate efforts with the County EOC Medical Group Chief.
(10)
Fire and Rescue Services:
(a)
Services provided by Eden, Neffsville and Southern Manheim Township
Fire Companies:
[1]
Responsible for the fire and rescue service and hazardous materials
incidents.
[2]
All Fire Chiefs and officers must operate all incidents under
the unified Incident Command System.
[3]
Provide supplemental communications.
[4]
Provide assistance to police in the alert and warning and evacuation
of the public.
[5]
Provide emergency medical services and first aid to the level
of training and available equipment.
[6]
Provide hazardous materials containment and support to the county's
Hazardous Materials Unit.
[7]
Provide a representative upon activation of the EOC.
(11)
Police Services:
(a)
Services provided by Manheim Township Police Department:
[1]
Maintain law and order within the Township and under automatic
aid to East Petersburg Borough.
[2]
Organize the alert and warning of the public.
[3]
Organize the evacuation of affected public.
[4]
Assist in the return of the evacuated citizens.
[5]
Coordinate with other police authorities.
[6]
Provide a representative upon activation of the EOC.
(12)
Emergency Medical Services:
(a)
Services provided by Manheim Township Ambulance Association:
[1]
Provide emergency prehospital medical and first aid service
to the public.
[2]
Responsible for the medical needs of all injured persons after
rescue operations are completed by the Fire and Rescue Service.
[3]
Establish working relations with the area hospitals.
[4]
Maintain radio communications with the hospitals to provide
patient data and transport information.
[5]
Establish proper procedures to interface with additional medical
services.
[6]
Work with the Manheim Township Emergency Management and the
Director of Manheim Township Public Works to provide Manheim Township
residents with adequate community sanitation.
[7]
Transport the injured to the appropriate hospital or other health
care facility.
[8]
Provide a representative upon activation of the EOC.
[9]
Coordinate efforts with other emergency medical services organizations.
(13)
Public works:
(a)
Services provided by Manheim Township:
[1]
Maintain and clear roads to ensure passage of traffic.
[2]
Coordinate public water and sanitation services and return of
electrical, gas and phone utilities for the public as soon as possible.
[3]
Establish temporary fresh drinking water and sanitary portable
lavatory for the public.
[4]
Perform other services as requested to assist with emergency/disaster
recovery.
[5]
Provide a representative upon activation of the EOC.
A.
Administration.
(1)
Municipal reports and records.
(a)
Township government reports. The Emergency Management Coordinator
will provide damage assessment reports, situation reports and requests
for assistance to the County EMA.
(b)
Expenditures and obligations. Records of expenditures and obligations
in operations will be maintained by the Township Finance Department.
(c)
Emergency Operations Center records. The Emergency Management
Coordinator will maintain all narrative and event action log records
in a fire-protected file cabinet.
(2)
Nondiscrimination. There will be no discrimination on grounds of
race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, or economic status in
the execution of disaster preparedness or disaster relief and assistance
functions.
B.
Agreements and understanding: automatic-aid, intermunicipal and mutual-aid
agreements.
(1)
Manheim Township will use preestablished agreements by Lancaster
County EMA to help supplement depleted Township resources.
(2)
Duly authorized officials may enter into all agreements and understandings
for the protection of Manheim Township.
(3)
Copies of any agreements are to be maintained in the office of the
Emergency Management Coordinator and the EOC.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Manned posts established by Township police, augmented by
Fire Police or by the National Guard, on roads leading into a disaster
area for the purpose of controlling entry during an emergency.
Start or place into action an activity or system.
Exercise authority with the ability to influence actions,
compel, or hold in restraint.
Arranging, in order, activities of equal importance to harmonize
in a common effort.
To move to the assigned location in order to start operations.
Providing authoritative guidance, supervision, and management
of activities/operations along a prescribed course to reach an attainable
goal.
A man-made, natural or war-caused catastrophe.
MAN-MADEAny industrial, nuclear or transportation accident explosion, conflagration, power failure, natural resource shortage or other condition, except enemy action resulting from man-made causes, such as oil spills and other injurious environmental contamination, which threatens or causes substantial damage to property, human suffering, hardship, or loss of life.
NATURALAny hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire or other catastrophe which results in substantial damage to property, hardship, suffering, or possible loss of life.
WAR-CAUSEDAny condition following an attack upon the United States resulting in substantial damage to property or injury to persons in the Township caused by use of bombs, missiles, shellfire, or nuclear, radiological, chemical or biological means, or other weapons or overt paramilitary actions, or other acts such as sabotage or terrorism.
Those conditions that, upon investigation, are found to:
Affect safety: affect seriously the safety, health, or welfare
of the citizens or preclude the operation or use of essential public
facilities.
Require state assistance: be of such magnitude or severity as
to render state support of county and municipal efforts to alleviate
the danger, damage, suffering, or hardship faced by the citizens.
Have causes not covered by law: conditions caused by forces
beyond the control of man, by reason of civil disorder, riot or disturbance,
or by factors not foreseen and not known to exist when appropriation
bills were enacted.
A sudden unexpected happening or occasion for action, constraint
or pressing necessity to prevent the loss of life and/or property.
Official announcements made at the county level for the specific
purpose of providing information, instructions, or directions from
the County Commissioners, or their designated official representative,
to the permanent and transient residents of the county. Announcements
are made over the EAS network. EAS announcements at the state level
are made only when they are applicable statewide. Restriction on the
use of EAS announcements does not preclude appropriate use of newspapers,
radio, and television for public information statements.
The judicious planning, assignment, and coordination of all
available resources in a program of mitigation, preparedness, response,
and recovery for emergencies of all kinds, whether from enemy attack,
man-made, or natural sources.
Recognized agency in Manheim Township to attain specific
goals or objectives in an organized effort to mitigate against, prepare
for, respond to, and recover from any emergency and/or disaster.
Recognized staff position by the Manheim Township Commissioners
and appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania for the coordination
of all emergency and disaster services within Manheim Township.
A designated place where personnel and communications are
available to control operations during a disaster through the implementation
of the preparedness plan.
A situation in which a total mobilization of all resources
of the Emergency Management Agency is required on a twenty-four-hour
basis to cope with the emergency and/or disaster.
The Governor is empowered to declare a state of disaster
emergency upon finding that a disaster has occurred or that the occurrence
or the threat of a disaster is imminent. This proclamation by executive
order authorizes counties and municipalities to exercise vested powers
without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed
by law (excepting mandatory constitutional requirements) pertaining
to performance of public works, employing of temporary workers, entering
into contracts, incurring obligations, renting of equipment, purchasing
materials and supplies, levying taxes and appropriation and expenditure
of public funds. The state of disaster emergency continues until the
Governor finds that the danger has passed and terminates it by executive
order or proclamation, but no state of disaster emergency may continue
for longer than 90 days unless renewed by the Governor.
Any substance or material in a quantity or form which may
be harmful or injurious to humans, domestic animals, wildlife, economic
crops or property when released into the environment. Hazardous materials
are classified as chemical, biological, radiological, or explosive.
A compilation of natural and man-made hazards and their predictability,
frequency, duration, intensity, and risk to population and property.
A situation in which a potential hazard has reached dangerous
level and could affect the safety of the threatened population with
very little warning. The Emergency Management Coordinator will activate
the EOC on a twenty-four-hour basis with selected staff and emergency
response personnel. This condition recognizes a serious situation
and provides posture of operational readiness in place until the situation
has been resolved or full emergency condition is necessary.
The condition declared by the Commissioners when, in their
judgment, the threat or actual occurrence of a disaster requires coordinated
local government action to prevent or alleviate the damage, loss,
hardship, or suffering threatened or caused. A local emergency arising
wholly or substantially out of a resource shortage may be declared
only by the Governor, upon petition of the local governing body, when
he/she deems the threat or actual occurrence of a disaster to be of
sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant coordinated local government
action to prevent or alleviate the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering
threatened or caused thereby.
Fixed facilities suitable for providing emergency lodging
for victims of disasters left temporarily homeless and capable of
providing all essential social services. Feeding may be done within
a mass care center in suitable dining facilities or nearby.
To augment staff and resources in order to accomplish the
mission at an indicated location on a twenty-four-hour-per-day basis.
Any occasion or instance for which, in the determination
of the President, federal assistance is needed to supplement state
and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property,
public health and safety or lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
Before any federal assistance can be rendered, the Governor must first
determine that the situation is of such severity and magnitude that
effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and affected
county and municipal governments and that federal assistance is necessary.
As a prerequisite to federal assistance, the Governor shall take appropriate
action under law and direct execution of the Commonwealth Emergency
Operations Plan. The Governor's request for declaration of a
major disaster by the President may be accepted, downgraded to emergency
or denied.
Any natural catastrophe or, regardless of cause, any fire,
flood, or explosion which, in the determination of the President,
causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major
disaster assistance to supplement the efforts and available resources
of states, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in
alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby.
Public announcements made by the Township Commissioners'
spokespersons via newspapers, radio, or television to explain government
actions being taken to protect the public in the event of any public
emergency. The purpose of the announcement is to provide accurate
information, prevent panic, and counteract misinformation and rumors.
A predesignated site outside the disaster area through which
evacuees needing shelter will be able to obtain information, services
and direction to shelters.
The return to the normal community dwelling and operating
sites by families, individuals, governments, and businesses once the
evacuated area has been declared safe for occupancy.
Accomplished by predesignated teams traveling in vehicles
along preassigned routes delivering an alert/warning message.
Each political subdivision included in declaration of disaster
emergency declared by either the Governor or the governing body of
the political subdivision affected by the disaster emergency is authorized
[pursuant to 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7301, as amended (relating to
general authority of Governor)] to exercise the powers vested under
this section in light of the exigencies of the emergency situation
without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed
by law (excepting mandatory constitutional requirements pertaining
to the performance of public works, entering into contracts, the incurring
of obligations, the employment of temporary workers, the rental of
equipment, the purchase of supplies and materials, the levying of
taxes and the appropriation and expenditure of public funds.
Manned posts established at critical road junctions for the
purpose of controlling or limiting traffic. TCPs are used to control
evacuation traffic from the emergency or disaster site.
Capabilities and/or resources required for supporting emergency
operations but neither available nor provided for at the respective
levels of government.
Previously expected severe weather is occurring or is about
to occur.
Indicates that conditions and ingredients exist to trigger
severe weather.
A.
Training authority. The Emergency Management Coordinator may activate
this plan as required to evaluate and maintain the readiness posture
of the Manheim Township response teams at least annually through a
tabletop, functional or full-scale operational exercise.
B.
Training policy.
(1)
Response and recovery training. Realistic training must be conducted
on an as-needed basis to evaluate the response and recovery actions
of the plan.
(a)
The Emergency Management Coordinator, in coordination with the
Township response agencies, will decide on the type and scope of an
exercise.
(b)
Any request from a local agency for an exercise to test their
capabilities will only be accomplished if required by Township, county,
state or federal law.
(2)
Professional development:
(a)
Training will be provided to the Emergency Management Coordinator
and any staff on techniques of writing emergency plans, professional
development skills, and security issues related to emergency preparedness.
(b)
Minimum of two state-/federal-sponsored sessions per year or
16 hours of documented training.
A.
Development and maintenance responsibilities. The Emergency Management
Coordinator is responsible for the development and maintenance of
this plan.
B.
Enforceability: enforceable under the provisions of Manheim Township
Resolution No. 2001-31, adopted May 29, 2001.
C.
Execution. The plan is executed upon order of the Township Commissioners
or their authorized representatives, the Township Manager-Secretary
and/or the Emergency Management Coordinator.
D.
Distribution of the Manheim Township Emergency Operations Plan:
(1)
Emergency Management Coordinator.
(2)
Mobile Command Post/EOC.
(3)
Command Car.
(4)
Commissioners Conference Room.
(5)
Township Manager-Secretary.
(6)
Police Department.
(7)
Ambulance Association.
(8)
Eden Fire Department.
(9)
Neffsville Fire Department.
(10)
Southern Manheim Township Fire Department.
(11)
Public Works.
(12)
Lancaster County EMA.
(13)
Lancaster County Haz-Mat Team.
A.
Required materials and information. Verify the following materials
and information are available:
(1)
Copy of County Emergency Operations Plan.
(2)
Copy of Manheim Township Operations Plan.
(3)
Copy of EOC/staff officers SOPs.
(4)
Notification and Resource Manual.
(5)
Event Action Log.
(6)
Sign In/Out Log.
(7)
Manheim Township Organization.
(8)
Staff schedule for twenty-four-hour operations.
(9)
Action Status Board.
(10)
Municipal Map.
(11)
Adequate office supplies for twenty-four-hour operation.
B.
General.
(1)
Mission: to permit coordination and implementation of actions at
the Township level to save lives, protect property, and alleviate
human suffering during periods of natural, man-made, and war-caused
emergencies and disasters.
(2)
Staffing: rapid mobilization of key personnel.
(4)
Guidelines.
(a)
The Township Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) monitors
emergency conditions and recommends to the President of the Board
of Commissioners to mobilize the EOC.
(b)
The EOC is mobilized under authority of the President.
(c)
The Emergency Management Coordinator functions for the Commissioners
in control of operations and supervising the EOC staff.
[Added 4-16-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-08]
A.
General.
(1)
During a local disaster emergency declared by the Board of Commissioners,
the Commissioners have the authority and responsibility to protect
the safety, health and welfare of Manheim Township residents and the
general public within the Township.
(2)
A local disaster emergency involving a pandemic represents a particularly
dangerous threat to the safety, health and welfare of the public because
it involves a highly contagious disease that is spread by community
contact.
(3)
Under the very unique and limited circumstances of a local disaster
emergency involving a pandemic, the Board of Commissioners needs to
have the authority to issue orders, approve actions and take other
steps to contain the pandemic in order to protect the safety, health
and welfare of the public.
(4)
The Emergency Management Coordinator and the Township Manager shall
provide input and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners
regarding what orders, actions and steps are reasonably required and
necessary to adequately protect the public safety, health and welfare.
B.
Authority.
(1)
The Pennsylvania First Class Township Code, 53 P.S. § 55101, et seq. grants the Board of Commissioners broad general powers to protect the safety, health and welfare of persons within the Township, including adopting ordinances and taking action related to controlling the spread of a contagious disease. See 53 P.S. § 56552 (General Powers), 53 P.S. § 56150 (Public Safety) and Article XVI (Public Health).
(2)
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, 35 Pa.C.S.A.
§ 7101, et seq., places the responsibility for direction
and control on the "lowest level of government affected" and authorizes
local political subdivisions to, inter alia, adopt and implement precautionary
measures to mitigate the anticipated effects of a disaster and to
execute and enforce such orders adopted and promulgated under the
Act. See 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7504 (a) (responsibility for direction
and control) and 35 Pa. C.S.A. § 7503 (5), (6) (powers and
duties of political subdivisions).
(3)
Under Pennsylvania law, the Board of Commissioners has the authority
and responsibility to take action to respond to public nuisances that
threaten the safety, health and welfare of the public.
C.
Issuance of emergency orders and actions. During a local disaster
emergency involving a pandemic that poses a threat to the health,
safety and welfare of the residents or to the employees of Manheim
Township or to the general public, the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners
shall have the authority to approve by resolution emergency actions
and orders intended to protect the safety, health and welfare of the
public and Township employees that are put at risk as a result of
the pandemic. Such actions and orders may include, but are not limited
to, temporarily suspending permits, work orders, licenses, zoning
approvals, inspections and other approvals or activities as the Board
of Commissioners determines are needed to respond to the pandemic.
D.
Notice. Notice of a resolution authorizing an emergency order or
action issued by the Board of Commissioners under this section shall
be provided to the public through the posting of the resolution on
the Manheim Township website and by posting the resolution on the
front door of the Manheim Township municipal building.
E.
Time limitations on emergency orders and actions. Any resolution
by the Board of Commissioners authorizing an emergency order or action
under this section shall be effective only during the time a local
disaster emergency is in effect within Manheim Township. Moreover,
any order or action shall automatically expire after 30 days unless
a new resolution is approved by the Board of Commissioners extending
the order or action for another 30 days, which the Board can continue
to extend every 30 days if required for the duration of the local
disaster emergency.
F.
Judicial review of resolution authorizing an emergency order or action.
Any person aggrieved by a resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners
under this section may seek judicial review by filing an appropriate
action with the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas as provided
for under the First Class Township Code. See 53 P.S. § 56502.1(c).
